Adam & May

Congrats to your parents. But you got me for a minute here. I thought there was something crawling on my screen. My husband laughed at me )

My parents' AOS interviews were scheduled for Dec 7th at 8:30am and 9am in Newark, New Jersey. We arrived at the building at 8:15am but it took about 20 minutes to get through the snaking line through security. After getting through security, we went up to the 13th floor and waited until about 11am to be called in. My parents were called in together and I accompanied them. We were all sworn-in and asked the following:

1. Originals of their birth certificates, and my birth certificate

2. My father was asked about his army service and what other occupation he has had since retirement

3. Number of US visas they've been issued

4. How often they travel to the US, if separate or together

5. Why they live with my sister even though I'm the petitioner

6. The number of days they visited family in Canada prior to entering the US

7. Whether my father was baptized (this was a strange question, but almost immediately I realized that there was something amiss with his birth certificate)

7. All the standard questions at the back of the I-485 form

The interviewing officer was very business-like yet she seemed compassionate. There were a few times where my parents spoke over each other while answering a question, or only one of them answered audibly, but she kept trucking along through the interview. My mother was approved right away, but my father was told to come back early next month with his baptism certificate and one sworn affidavit (from a close relative) because his birth was registered well after the fact. We have his baptism certificate ready to go and are working on getting the affidavit from an aunt. He goes back on Jan 6th to give them the additional documents; based on what the interviewing officer told us, everything should be approved once that is received. Yay!

Interestingly enough, after the interviewing officer had closed up her files and put them away, while we were getting our stuff together to leave, she asked me how I got my citizenship and I told her it was by marriage. I wonder what made her curious...

During the interview.

I'm from South Bend, Indiana.. the Filipino's I had met arereally nice and friendly.. So glad to meet kababayan's out here...

Hello I'm from south bend too

I hate reading about couples who meet on filipanheart.com or whatever it is and then you see 40 or 50 yo men with little girls for fiancees. Its like buying a sex slave imo cause most filipina with these old men are trying to escape a bad place or hoping for a better life on the other side which isnt always the case. As for me i met my fiancee on a business trip to the cayman islands and i flew there 7 times over a 1 in a half yer period, I got to know her as a person not just chatting online but actually in person. I wasnt looking for a filipina or anyone for that matter it just so happened thats what she was when i met her, anyways look theres better ways to meet people than on a website thousands of miles away. If you want to find a filipina i say try the cayman islands first, its like little Philippines and youll find filipinas in about every store in Georgetown and atleast its a hell of a lot less expensive to fly visit and get to know them first.

I am happy to say that we've met on Filipinaheart! No regrets on our parts. But I don't think that we are the demographic you're talking about.

And oh, both of us spent money to our process. And both of us has a good life in our respective countries

I hate reading about couples who meet on filipanheart.com or whatever it is and then you see 40 or 50 yo men with little girls for fiancees. Its like buying a sex slave imo cause most filipina with these old men are trying to escape a bad place or hoping for a better life on the other side which isnt always the case. As for me i met my fiancee on a business trip to the cayman islands and i flew there 7 times over a 1 in a half yer period, I got to know her as a person not just chatting online but actually in person. I wasnt looking for a filipina or anyone for that matter it just so happened thats what she was when i met her, anyways look theres better ways to meet people than on a website thousands of miles away. If you want to find a filipina i say try the cayman islands first, its like little Philippines and youll find filipinas in about every store in Georgetown and atleast its a hell of a lot less expensive to fly visit and get to know them first.

I am happy to say that we've met on Filipinaheart! No regrets on our parts. But I don't think that we are the demographic you're talking about.

I would like to extend your question and make Part B of it:

How and why is it that somebody who lives in a country of over 310,000,000 people is looking for a spouse in a foreign country? Please don't use the "I like Thai women" or "I like Russian women" argument, as we have plenty of those in the U.S. already.

Second part of my Part B: why would somebody marry someone they have only met once or twice, total? I, too, have dated my wife for over 2 years before we got engaged. It took us another year 'til I proposed, and then another year 'til we got married. This time was really necessary to learn what we both would be like in normal situations, stress situations, and when we have a really bad day. It's all part of the package one needs to accept when committing to stay together 'til death takes 'em apart.

I can't conceive doing this mail order bride thing. But I'm willing to learn, and I'm listening.

You sure you dated 2 years before getting engaged? Your timeline says met in 2003, moved in 2004. I don't think living together is dating

My point is: why don't we just respect each others decisions or wants. Why don't we talk about how we can help others through this process -MAY-

Dating 3-5-7-10 years - if there is no marriage, then why are guys wasting each other times? Then what - date the next person for the same period of time?

My opinion (which of course maybe wrong) - the person should know after 6 month, maxiumum 1 year of dating if this is the one for marriage or not. It"s unfortunate that INS requires a marriage with K-1 within 90 days of entry; I personally think K-1 should allow 6 month of stay - even tourist have more time on hand and processing time takes longer than 6 month!!

You're entitled of your opinion. You'll never get wrong about it

Sorry about what happened. But they're right, it would be more miserable if this happens when you're already married. Youre still lucky

For everyone: in my opinion, calling a guy " who sends money" to ( who they think) their fiancée a STUPID is ridiculous. It's not being stupid of him, the girl is just taking advantage of him. She is too smart to fool him. He trusts her

When we were in the process of our K1 ( we've met) I asked my then fiancé to send me money every month. I said I couldn't take care of myself anymore. I gave him the breakdown of my monthly expense and he trusted me. But he didn't know that I was saving up the money for the future so when I came to the US I have the money with me which helped us for my AOS. I would say, I tested his trust on me that until now we don't talk about financial matter. He knows everything is in good hands

Who?

Fantastic photos and video

I meant this for mike

The SS office told us we could get the name changed on her SS card before finishing the AOS but he said that might cause problems with the names being different We just waited until she received her EAD then took that down to apply for an SS card with her married name

Adam & May

It's not unheard of to get a Tourist Visa but at the same time I've never heard of a Tourist Visa being granted with a pending immigration visa. Who knows how the embassy will view the request. Good luck.

Adam and May

Can you post a picture of it?

Adam and May

May & I are already married in the U.S. last year and want a church ceremony in the Philippines is 2012.

We have reported our marriage to the Philippine Consulate in Chicago.

I am hoping none of this will apply to us since it is more like renewing our vows.

Adam & May

You might be a Filipino if anything in the fridge is an option for breakfast.

You might be filipino if you bless yourself before you take a shower, before you leave the house, and many other times.

OMG, Yes!

Great posts everyone

Adam and May

You might be a Filipino if...

You have 2 cell phones to text to family and friends in the Philippines (1 to receive texts on a roaming Philippine sim and 1 US based one to reply).

You eat rice with a mix of cooking oil and soy sauce.

Adam & May

May will be taking hers next week.

Congrats

Adam & May

I have flown both Delta and Hawaiian Airlines internationally with 2 pieces of checked baggage and no fees.

When returning from the PI via the Detroit airport they make you grab all your bags (checked and carry on), go through Customs then place your checked luggage back onto a conveyor belt to be delivered to your connecting flight.

Adam & May

Hi hisprincess!

Now at least I read a more appropiriate comment/ suggestion.

I totally understand what you're going through right now. I am a FIlipina who's been in the US for 8 mos now. It can get really "depressing" at times especially that I am in a state with few Asians. I have 2 kids still in the Philippines under petition by my USC spouse ( son is 9, daughter is 3). I am sure most of us who have decided to be with our "better halves" or "soon-to-be-better-halves" can relate to the hardships that we have gone through to get here. We do deserve our happiness but if I make some suggestions in addition what the other VJers have posted (go out, find other Filinos maybe you can talk to, ask your fiance if you can move, etc.)? I have quite a different take if I am in your shoes.

1. Count your blessings because:

a. Some K1 filers were denied. You were approved. They may have gone through the same or more difficulties than what you have gone through to get to the US.

b. The female Sargeant lost her husband, you have your fiance alive and healthy ( I don't mean to sound harsh, just being objective). I am sure no one wants to put you in that situation. I would think the grieving Sargeant doesn't want you to feel uncomfortable nor obligated to make her feel better. She is undergoing a deeper source of possible depression..she lost her husband.

2. Try to think outside of yourself. Being a Filipina, I know you are resilient. Maybe you're put in that situation now cuz you can make a difference to the Sargeant's life or she can make you realize what you have or can have in the future? Just believe that everything has a reason why they happen or happened.

3. Remember that too shall pass. Things will get better for sure.

Hugs to you and welcome to the US!

My Timelines:

10/2009 - met online

11/2010 - came here on B1/B2 visa

12/2010 - first meeting in person in Chicago, IL

03/2011 - moved in with him in IN

4/25/11 - got married in Mitchell, IN

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN

I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC for processing

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

Banks (for xoom), western union, money gram they all need two valid ID's.

1. Your Fiancé / Wife has a passport

2. She couldn't get a passport without valid ID's, correct?

3.then u can send the money to your wife/ fiancé (unless she is with you now)

If she has sibliing who is 18 or so and still in school surely he/she has a school ID and have them get a Postal ID ( takes an hour) for 250 pesos.

Does your wife/fiancé has a friend she trusts, with valid ID's?

Don't risk your money to thru unsure way.

Good luck!

Adam & May

No ants in the house

My wife used one of those accordion organizers and just pulled the individual documents when requested.

I'm not sure what you want to do for a job (not necessarily a career at this point).

Finding a job is tough for most right now, for a foreigner probably even more so. The plan we came up with for May was this...

She wanted to get a job for a year or two but not something she would necessarily do for the rest of her life. Since the medical field (caregiver) is going to be in high demand she decided to take a 3 week CNA course. She obtained her CNA license shortly after. Since she still didn't have her EAD/GC yet she decided to volunteer at a local nursing home. She volunteered 40 hours a week (patient activities not as CNA). She got to meet people, make some work friends but more importantly then got to know her.

When she finally did get her EAD there was no interview. The hired her as a CNA because they loved her as a patient activities volunteer.

She is meeting new people and slowly building a network of acquaintances and friends.

We hope things get better for you soon.

Adam & May

TStruck: We were not able to get an updated SS card with May's married name until after we received the EAD/Green card.

The person at the SS office (right or wrong) explained that we could apply before but that may cause confusion when filing for AOS (something about May's last name not matching immigration records if we do it manually). She stated to AOS process makes all the necessary name adjustments

They told us to come back after the EAD was received. We ended up getting the EAD and Green Card within 2 days of each other.

May ended up taking a training class and volunteering (to get her out of the house to meet people) until her EAD arrived. She was eventually hired by the place where she volunteered.

Adam & May